Neighborhood Hero

Now being back in Naples, Florida for winter break, I definitely miss the college atmosphere just a bit. However, I definitely do not miss the bitter cold snaps that Gainesville has in December. Naples rarely reaches below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is something I always love about my hometown. For most of the time it is high 70's to low 80's from December to February. The title of this blog is from a song I've been listening to by Lil Durk and it really spoke to me. I became a neighborhood hero recently because I was able to influence the younger generation by passing on my wisdom about life. I feel like more kids in high school and middle school only care about getting high or going to parties nowadays. Kinda depressing. So I took a friend who happens to my neighbor from when I used to live in a condo. His name is Trey. He is only in middle school, but I know just from talking to him during our fishing trips that he is way older.

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We've been fishing for several years now; he has always looked up to me as a role model. Trey would tell me that he strives to catch just as many big fish as I had. So for this blog, I will describe our recent trip fishing at a golf course pond for some big tarpon. In Naples, Florida there are many lakes that are in residential neighborhoods that have lakes fill with tarpon and snook. For the sake of keeping our honey holes a secret, I will not name this place; however, I will describe the events that took place that day.

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Before we got to the fishing spot, Trey and I cast netted for some Tilapia and Cichlids. These have proven over time to be the best bait for tarpon. Once we filled the bucket with bait, Trey and I drove to the lake. It did not take long before one of us hooked up to a big poon after pitching a live tilapia under a bridge. The tarpon inhaled the bait right in front of our eyes and took off for a long run. Then the fish majestically shot out of the water, shaking, thrashing its body. Trey already set the best hook set possible, right on the top of its lip. Even with multiple jumps the tarpon could never shake the hook off. As Trey fought the fish for 10 minutes, the tarpon finally gave up and we were able to bring it onto land.

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After catching this 20 lb tarpon, Trey said, "thank you so much for putting me on my personal best tarpon Tien. This is the best day ever." This appreciation that Trey shown for me to help him catch a big tarpon was so rewarding, I felt so warm inside when I realized how much this meant to Trey. Although we didn't catch any other fish that day, Trey was overall ecstatic to say he caught his PB with me. So the moral of the blog is to give back and be the neighborhood hero. Teach and give those behind you in any way possible. Fishing is my way to give purpose to the younger generation instead of giving them the idea that partying or juuling is cool

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